My friends and I recently went whitewater rafting in the Kern River, located near Bakersfield and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was the first time for me and one other friend. Everyone has in our group had some experience. It was an absolute blast! We went on a half day trip with Kern River Outfitters on the Upper Kern River. Because of all of the rain we had this year (it also rained the week before our trip), the Kern was gushing with water.
Our trip featured Class III (intermediate) – IV (advanced) rapids. According to the international scale of river difficulty, Class III rapids usually feature “moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid” and may require “complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges.” Class IV rapids are “intense, powerful but predictable” with “large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages,” which demand “fast maneuvers under pressure.” A bit intimidating for one’s first time rafting.
The first hour or so involved making sure we were properly fitted with a helmet and life vest, learning safety and rescue tips, and plenty of cheesy jokes. Our tour guides were masters of not only the water but also terrible puns – my weakness.
It was a rough start. Our friend Kyle accidentally hit his lip with the paddle. Our rowing was weak and shallow, and we kept hitting each other’s paddles due to our lack of coordination. Our guide Millie described us as a “drunk spider” haha. After her coaching and going through a couple of Class III rapids, we finally got our groove. By the time we got to Class IV rapids, we were a united team. We conquered rapids with spine tingling names such as “Powerhouse” and “Tombstone” and “Skullcrusher.” (I don’t quite remember the names, but you get the gist.) No one in our team took a swim (a.k.a. fell into the water), and when the trip ended, it felt like we barely started. I kept saying “That’s it?!” in disbelief and my friends pointed out that we were actually on the water for a few hours already. We then went to a local brewery for some food, catching up, and bonding after our experience.
It was exhilarating! I cannot wait for my next whitewater rafting trip. Maybe by then, I will be ready to crush some Class V rapids…
Directionally Challenged 